Republicans in 12 Northern New York counties will decide Tuesday between Elise Stefanik and Matt Doheny in a primary for the party line on the ballot for the 21st Congressional District - an open seat considered a toss-up in November.

The candidates:Elise Stefanik, 29, of Essex County, was an aide to former President George W. Bush and Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc.

Matt Doheny
Doheny, 43, a Watertown businessman, ran on the Republican line in the last two elections. He lost by 2 percentage points or less each time to incumbent Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh.

Why the seat is open:
Owens is not seeking re-election.
The district:
The district covers 12 counties, from the Lake Ontario shore near Watertown, north to the Canadian border an south to the Saratoga Springs city line.

Support:
Stefanik has the endorsement of the Republican Party chairs in the district. Mitt Romney endorsed Stefanik. U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, the Republican vice presidential nominee in 2012, came to Watertown to campaign for her.

The American Crossroads Super PAC founded by Republican operatives Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie also backed Stefanik and funded attack ads against Doheny.